Insulated multi compartment fluid storage device

ABSTRACT

An insulated multi compartment fluid storage device capable of multiple configurations to provide for different ratios of stored fluids. The device allows for individual fluids to be stored separately from one another. In addition, the device has a tapered bottom and is largely characterized by textured surfaces. More specifically, the contours of the devices lend themselves to fitting within vehicle cup holders and the like. Finally, the device is comprised of thermo-insulating material so that stored fluids can maintain a near constant temperature for relatively long periods of time.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/647,257, filed on Jan. 26, 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to an insulated multicompartment fluid storage device. More specifically, the presentinvention relates to an insulated multi compartment fluid storage devicewherein a single fluid container, having multiple compartments, keepsfluid contained therein separate from one another and helps maintainfluid temperature. The device may be configured in several ways toproduce different compartment arrangements.

2. Background Information

The use of insulating fluid storage devices is known in the art. Morespecifically, insulating fluid storage devices heretofore devised andutilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected andobvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designsencompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for thefulfillment of different objectives and requirements. While thesedevices may fulfill their respective, particularly claimed objectivesand requirements, the aforementioned devices do not disclose aninsulating multi compartment fluid storage device such as Applicant'sinvention.

People the world over consume mixed drinks or for any number of reasons,desire to travel with more than one beverage at the same time. Sometimessuch drinks are a mixture of alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages,carbonated and non-carbonated beverages, or numerous other combinationsof fluids. Sometimes the combination of such fluids may produce anunsavory flavor if they are mixed with one another for an extendedperiod of time. Usually, the flavor of these mixed drinks is optimizedby consuming the beverage immediately after mixing its constituents. Asa result, the component fluids are typically kept in separate containersuntil mixing.

For example, when a beverage such as a wine spritzer is mixed, the wineand carbonated beverage are mixed only immediately before consumption.Such is the result as the wine and carbonated beverage have an adverseeffect on one another when they are combined for an extended period oftime. When prematurely mixed, the wine often acquires a bitter taste,while the carbonated beverage become “flat.” The same general effectsare observed as an alcoholic beverage such as rum is mixed with cola orfruit juice.

Because of the adverse effects associated with the extended mixing ofcertain components of common mixed drinks, these components are oftenstored separately until immediately prior to consumption. In the art, noknown device exists that is capable of keeping such constituents in acompact discrete unit wherein the mixed drink components can beeffectively mixed immediately upon consumption. The present invention,however, provides such a device. More specifically, the presentinvention allows mixed drink components to be stored together incompact, discrete unit fashion, while insulating the separate drinkcomponents contained therein within separate, individual compartments.

Problems relating to consuming more than one beverage is oftenexaggerated where the consumer wishes to carry separate beverages duringtravel. For example, one may wish to bring separate beverages on a trip,or simply to and from work. All to often, one would be forced to bringalong a separate container for each individual beverage.

Problems are further met where one or more of the fluids is mostdesirably consumed at a relatively high or a relatively low temperature.The most obvious circumstances where problems may arise is where aconsumer wishes to drink hot chocolate or coffee with particularadditives, or some cold beverage with additives. Currently, the consumeris forced to travel with separate containers simply to have availablethe desired mixture. In view of these problems, a need exists for adevice that can keep fluids in proximity with one another, whileremaining separate, and where the fluids may be consumed at the sametime.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The general purpose of the present invention, which will be describedsubsequently in greater detail, is to provide an insulated multicompartment fluid storage device which has many of the advantages ofsuch devices known in the art and many novel features that result in anew insulated multi compartment fluid storage device which is notanticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of theknown devices, either alone or in any combination thereof.

In satisfaction of the above, the present invention provides aninsulated multi compartment fluid storage device, which by way of anovel combination of component parts, provides benefits that simply arenot possible with known devices. Applicant's invention provides a devicethat saves time and money, and increases efficiency with respect to rawmaterials, production costs, and transportation and storage space. Afterall, use of the present invention alleviates the need to carry separatecontainers for every individual beverage to be consumed, and the presentinvention can help avoid the need to reheat or cool the beverages.Instead, one may carry a single container having one or more beveragesto be consumed throughout the day.

The present invention is thought to be most beneficial in the context ofkeeping fluid ingredients separate from one another while being carriedin a single container and helping those fluids maintain a near constanttemperature. As a result, the attributes of each beverage are preservedfor extended periods of time. As mentioned, particular forms areenvisioned where the device has a multiple storage compartmentconfiguration. Other forms of Applicant's invention are envisioned ofbeing capable of maintaining particular ratios of its constituent fluidcomponents with respect to one another.

In its most preferred form, the present invention is comprised of agenerally cylindrical container, having a generally flat top and bottom.Along its top, the device contains a lid having a hinge point about abisecting line along the lid. This hinge point is defined along the topsurface, preferably where a dividing wall, demarcating individualcompartments, meets the top surface. The lid may be actuated between anopen and closed position. The lid further contains one or more recessesor apertures to allow one to drink or “sip” from a device compartment.

Contained within the form defined by the cylindrical shell and the topand bottom surfaces lies one or more dividers. These dividers extendbetween the top surface and bottom surface and between the points alongthe cylindrical shell so as to form a complete seal along theirrespective edges. The alignment with respect to the retractable piece isparticularly important. That is, in the case two fluids are separatelycontained, a divider joins the top surface at the lid hinge point toensure the individual fluids are kept separate from one another.Likewise, if three or more compartments are formed by configuration ofthe dividers, the top surface may be configured to have correspondinghinge points so that each beverage may be separately consumed.

Applicant's invention further presents distinct benefits in that it isparticularly conducive to being taken along during travel. That is,particularly useful embodiments are envisioned where the device iscontoured to conveniently fit within vehicle cup holders and the like.More specifically, the preferred form of the present device has atextured base, tapered so as to fit within the narrow confines of a cupholder. The device also has adjoining handles, also textured, to ensureease of handling. This, of course, is easily seen to be helpful when oneis consuming a beverage while walking, working, or driving.

While the attributes of Applicant's invention may appear to be subtle atfirst glance, the device truly is novel. For instance, use ofApplicant's invention eliminates the need for the transportation ofmultiple fluid containers simply for the option of carrying thosebeverages at a single time. In addition, the present invention helpsreduce the need to rely on other devices to reheat or cool storedbeverages. Finally, unlike any devices known in the art, Applicant'sinvention allows for singular, discrete storage and transport of fluidsthat should not be mixed until they are consumed or applied in someother fashion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Applicant's invention may be further understood from a description ofthe accompanying drawings, wherein unless otherwise specified, likereferenced numerals are intended to depict like components in thevarious views.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of theinsulated fluid storage device of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to FIG. 1, a perspective view of the preferred embodimentof the present invention is shown, and is generally designated by thereference numeral 10. The various components of device 10 are largelycomprised of some alloy, such as stainless steel, covering an insulatingmaterial as known in the art. Also, as will be discussed, portions ofdevice 10 are covered with some textured surface as known in the art,such as textured rubber.

Device 10 is characterized by outer wall 12. Outer wall 12, in thepreferred embodiment, is generally of a cylindrical shape, having atapered bottom with a textured surface as known in the art. This shapeis generally preferred as it is thought to reduce the likelihood ofdevice 10 slipping out of one's hand. Also, the tapered bottom isthought to be useful in that device 10 can more easily fit withinvehicle cup holders and the like. Other useful embodiments areenvisioned where outer wall 12 is of another form to accommodatespecialized needs of device 10. For example, outer wall 12 may have aflanged lower portion joining an enlarged bottom surface 18 therebyoffering device 10 greater stability. One or more handle members 14extend from outer wall 12. Handle member 14 preferably has a texturedsurface and is shaped to allow one's hand to easily hold member 14.

The device of the present invention is further characterized by topsurface 16 and bottom surface 18, each of which have a shape defined bythe perimeter of the shape formed by outer wall 12. In the preferredembodiment of the present invention, top surface 16 further contains atleast one hinge point 20 and one recess 22. Hinge point 20 is definedwithin top surface 16 and is preferably located along the juxtapositionof dividing member 24 and top surface 16.

As such, individual segments of top surface 16, defined by one or morehinge points 20, may be actuated about a hinge point 20 between an openposition and a closed position. In an open position top surface member16 is in a substantially upright position at some angle from outer wall12. In the closed position, top surface 16 flatly rests against outerwall 12 to form a substantially sealed form.

Recess member 22, contained within top surface 16, is shaped to allowfluid to flow from the confines of device 10 so that one may drink or“sip” fluid from device 10 when device 10 is placed at an appropriateangle. The preferred embodiment is depicted as having a single hingepoint 20 (thereby defining two top surface 16 segments) and two recessmembers 22. However, other useful embodiments are envisioned where hingepoints 20 converge at the radial center of top surface 16 and extendradially to outer wall 12. In such embodiments, several top surface 16segments may be defined where each would actuate about that radialcenter between an open and closed position. More specifically, segmentsof top surface 16 would be defined by the edges where a plurality ofdividing members 24 extend to top surface 16. Finally, in such anembodiment each top surface 16 segment would have a corresponding recessmember 22.

Again, referring primarily to FIG. 1, dividing wall 24 is containedwithin the shape formed by the combination of outer wall 12, top surface16, and bottom surface 18. Dividing wall 24 is configured to extendbetween top surface 16 and bottom surface 18, and between outer wall 12to demarcate two separate compartments. Although, as mentioned,particular embodiments are envisioned where more than one dividingmember 24 extends radially from a central position to form a pluralityof compartments within the shape defined by outer wall 12, dividingwalls 24, top surface 16, and bottom surface 18.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specificembodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limitedsense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well asalternative embodiments of the inventions will become apparent topersons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of theinvention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claims willcover such modifications that fall within the scope of the invention.

1. A device for keeping stored fluids separate comprising: a cylindricalfluid container having an outer wall member, a top member, and a bottommember, said cylindrical container having an upper portion and a lowerportion wherein said upper portion is centrally aligned and sealinglyconnected with said lower portion, said top member having a first topmember segment and a second top member segment, said first and secondtop member segments each containing an aperture, said aperture beingconfigured for fluid egress from said cylindrical fluid container; adividing member, said dividing member being contained within saidcylindrical fluid container, said dividing member extending between andbeing sealingly attached to said outer wall member and said bottommember; a hinge means, said hinge means hingedly connecting said firsttop member segment and said second top member segment with said dividingmember such that each of said first and second top member segments maybe independently raised to a cylindrical container open position orlowered to a cylindrical container closed position, said cylindricalcontainer closed position being configured such that said top membersubstantially seals said cylindrical container.
 2. The device of claim 1wherein said cylindrical container upper portion has a greater diameterthat said cylindrical container lower portion.
 3. The device of claim 2further comprising a handle member attached to said outer member.
 4. Thedevice of claim 3 wherein said outer wall member and said bottom memberare substantially comprised of an insulating material.
 5. The device ofclaim 3 wherein said cylindrical container lower portion and said handlemember have a surface that is substantially textured.
 6. The device ofclaim 1 wherein said dividing member is configured such that thecombination of said dividing member, said outer wall member, said bottommember, and said top member form two compartments of equal volume.